Aaron Woliczko was named Head Men’s Basketball Coach of the Montana Tech Orediggers on May 12, 2010 and will begin his third campaign this season. Aaron came to Montana Tech after spending the past eight seasons on the basketball staff at the University of the Pacific (an NCAA Division I institution) in Stockton, CA. Aaron was also a 1997 graduate of Pacific and played on two of the Tiger’s most successful teams in school history. As a player and coach, he was a part of 227 total wins, six Big West Conference Championships, seven post season appearances (including four in the NCAA “Big Dance”), and seven post season victories.
The Coach
Aaron started his coaching career at Santa Cruz High School with legendary Coach Pete Newell Jr. A 1993 graduate of the high school himself, Aaron helped guide the Cardinals to a 26-6 record in the 1999-00 season.
Following a two year stint working at Pacific as the Facilities and Events Assistant in the athletics department, Aaron began working as the Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Operations in 2002 and eventually moved into the role of a full time assistant in 2005.
While on staff in 2003-04, Aaron helped the Tigers to the NCAA tournament following a Big West Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championship. Pacific beat Providence in the First Round of “March Madness” before falling to Kansas and finishing the season with a 25-8 record.
The 2004-05 season is without a doubt, the best season in Pacific history as the Tigers finished with a school record 27 wins, went 18-0 in the Big West Conference regular season and were ranked as high as 16th in the country (AP Top 25 poll). Along the way, Aaron saw Pacific rattle off 22 wins in a row and advance to the Second Round of the NCAA tournament after beating a tough Pittsburgh team 75-71.
University of the Pacific once again “danced” in the NCAA’s at the end of the 2005-06 season which also marked the third consecutive Big West Conference Championship for Aaron and the Tigers. In 2007-08 Pacific had another 20+ win season as they finished with a 21-10 clip. The 2008-09 season manifested in another post season appearance as the Tigers went 21-13 advancing to the Final Four of the CIT post season tourney.
Aaron’s final season at Pacific saw him add yet another Big West Conference Championship ring to his trophy case, as they went 23-12. During the 2009-10 season, the Tigers reached the CIT post season tournament final which also marked the 5th time in 7 years they had advanced to post season tournament play.
Player to Coach
As a player, Aaron was molded by his coaches who also became mentors and friends. He played for three Hall of Fame Coaches; Pete Newell Jr. (Santa Cruz High School), Bob Burton (West Valley Community College), and Bob Thomason (University of the Pacific), winning conference championships at each level.
At Santa Cruz High School, Coach Newell developed Aaron into a 3 time All-Conference performer, but more importantly into a leader on and off the court with an emphasis on building lifelong relationships. Through Aaron’s coaching, much of what Coach Newell taught him continues today at Montana Tech.
Under the tutelage of Coach Burton at West Valley Community College, Aaron and his teammates earned a record of 60-7 over a two year period. During that time the Vikings won 2 conference titles and advanced to the California Community College Elite 8 (1993-94) as well as the state championship game (1994-95). As a team West Valley finished the 1994-95 season ranked 4th in the nation, while Aaron garnered All-Conference awards and accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of the Pacific.
While at Pacific, Coach Thomason who is widely known for his teaching of shooting, helped mold Aaron into an even more accurate perimeter shooter with constant coaching of his fundamentals. Aaron redshirted the 1995-96 season before helping the Tigers win back to back Big West Conference Titles. The 1996-97 season saw Aaron’s Tigers go 24-6 with an appearance in the NCAA tournament, along the way they also had a 16 game winning streak. In 2009, Aaron and his teammates from the 1996-97 team were rewarded for that success with their induction into the Pacific Athletic Hall of Fame. During Aaron’s final year playing at Pacific he helped them to a 23-10 record despite playing most of the season with a broken hand, it was that toughness and self sacrifice that helped him earn Pacific’s Leadership Award that season. He also shared the hardwood with Michael Olowokandi, the eventual #1 Draft pick in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Following a very successful college career Aaron had a brief stint playing professional basketball overseas in St. Niklass, Belgium. Following an injury in November of the 1999 season, with the insistence of Coach Newell, Aaron decided to start his coaching career.
Coach Woliczko in the Community
From a young age, Aaron has prided himself on serving his community. He has volunteered for the Special Olympics, brought his players to speak at the San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall, revived the “Readers Watch Tigers” program while at Pacific and even coached a traveling girl’s basketball team amongst other philanthropic endeavors. During his time at the University of the Pacific, Aaron was also recognized by the United Way for his participation in various community events. He has maintained his love of community here in Butte by helping with various events around town. He has held a free basketball clinics, had his players volunteer at Head Start Preschool, and was the key note speaker at the Butte High All Sports Banquet. Aaron’s wife, Erica, got involved as well when she helped coach a 6th grade girls' basketball team recently.
The Family Man
Aaron met his wife, the former Erica Reynolds, at the University of the Pacific. Erica was a star athlete as well, starting at catcher all four years with the Tiger’s softball team. Both are graduates of Pacific’s Sport Sciences program (Aaron in 1997 and Erica in 2001). The two were married in 2003 and have a daughter, McKenna, who was born on May 12, 2008. Erica was inducted into the Peninsula (Northern California) Sports Hall of Fame joining the likes of John Madden, Bill Walsh and Barry Bonds.
Up Close and Personal
Aaron Woliczko was born March 26, 1975 to Tad and Susan Woliczko in Santa Cruz, CA. Tad is a personal trainer and has been a basketball official for 40 years while Susan is an elementary school teacher. Aaron has a younger brother, Stefan who was a professionally sponsored surfer and now a general contractor in Santa Cruz. He also has a younger sister, Andreawho works for B.A.W.S.I., a non-profit organization that promotes athletics and exercise to Bay Area youth.
The Woliczko Coaching File
1999-00 Santa Cruz High School Assistant Coach 26-6
2002-03 University of the Pacific Coord. of Men’s Basketball Operations 12-16
2003-04 University of the Pacific Coord. of Men’s Basketball Operations 25-8
2004-05 University of the Pacific Coord. of Men’s Basketball Operations 27-4
2005-06 University of the Pacific Assistant Coach 24-8
2006-07 University of the Pacific Assistant Coach 12-19
2007-08 University of the Pacific Assistant Coach 21-10
2008-09 University of the Pacific Assistant Coach 21-13
2009-10 University of the Pacific Assistant Coach 23-12
2010-11 Montana Tech Head Coach 6-22
2011-12 Montana Tech Head Coach 11-15
